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I have been given six hotels to manage and five of them are migraine inducing with a total of roughly about 170 staff members all having their way of doing things and not without many complaints. There was a day that I had to hide in my hotel room so that I could get reports done and just try and regroup.
In doing an assessment of what level everyone is at, I have been surprised (I really should not be) at how many staff members have thrown each other under the bus. One of the phrases I have heard the most these past three weeks is "That's not my job." I think I need to turn it into a drinking game, but becoming an alcoholic is not something I plan on being any time soon.
I have dealt with disgruntled employees, unhappy guests because you were unable to move heaven and earth for them, water pipes bursting, staff members smoking pot on their breaks because in Colorado it is legal so they feel they can, swimming pools that won't co-operate and General Managers leaving property and their staff at peak busy times.
The one shining light is that one of the hotels I have would be the hotel I helped with last year - the hotel where the staff fondly named me Ninja Bitch. I 'm now known as Boomerang Bitch. I love having Zac back on my team and he has been wonderful in helping me with pool, heaters, network printers and security camera issues. His hotel is two hours north of where I currently am so I have bribed him with food and beer.
I have found a way to escape the craziness. When it all gets too overwhelming I go to the hotel kitchen and start washing the dishes from either a banquet or the restaurant. At that point I am the highest paid dishwasher the company has. This mindless, soothing, job is what helps me escape and in my mind seeing dirty dishes become clean gives me a huge sense of accomplishment.
There is so much to be done and I know that I can do the job, I just need to tackle one little piece at a time and there have been a few days where I will have an employee in my office asking for something to be done and just for once I would love to say "That's not my job."
Wow! That sounds like a nightmare but is also quite believable. Just remember that it took years to get into such a disheveled state and you're not going to remedy it overnight. See it all in perspective (if that's possible right now!) and tackle the big picture. With time things will come together. Good luck - it sounds scary and exciting all at the same time! Love the dish washing bit...and (being Dutch) am smiling about the dope smoking dudes! Boys will be boys. Here's a toast to you, Ninja Bitch (ouch!).
ReplyDeleteI just have to tell you I'm in awe. What a job! It IS your job, isn't it? Anyway, I'm just really glad it's not mine!
ReplyDeleteNinja Bitch is a pretty awesome nickname, or name for a band...or name of my first born child. Epiphany! Now I really do want to have a child.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing more infuriating than when a coworker can't see past the end of their nose toward the collective good and instead locks into "not my job." Good luck with those groups of misfits.
In my experience, when you try to be professional, you will piss others (the ones who like to slack off, especially) off. Sometimes I think my life would be so much simpler if I could say, "That's not my job," but that'll piss people off too. I'll stick to being responsible. At least, if I'm going to piss someone off, I'll be doing it with a clear conscience.
ReplyDelete(P.S.: I sometimes use dish-washing to help me think too.)
This too shall pass. Until then...watch out for dish pan hands ;)
ReplyDeleteHang in there! XO